MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and local advocates are stepping into the spotlight to bring critical conversations to the forefront. Lindsay Miller and Louise McIntyre of NAMI Reno County visited the BW Morning show to discuss the organization’s mission, services, and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“We just want to change things—spread awareness, support, advocacy, and education,” said McIntire . “And most importantly, stop the stigma.”
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country, with affiliates across nearly all states. The Reno County chapter, a volunteer-run affiliate of NAMI Kansas, offers a lifeline of resources for local residents. This includes twice-monthly support group meetings at the Hutchinson Public Library on the second and fourth Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.—completely free and open to the public.
While NAMI is not a provider of therapy or clinical services, the organization acts as a vital connector. “If someone contacts us needing help, we do everything we can to find the right resources,” said Miller. “And if we can’t help directly, we know someone who can.”
Both McIntyre and Miller bring a deeply personal perspective to their advocacy. “I’ve lived with bipolar one for 32 years,” Miller shared. “Ten years ago, I couldn’t have sat in a room and had this conversation. But it takes time, and that’s okay.”
Their personal experiences fuel their passion for peer-led programs, including their upcoming Peer-to-Peer Class, running from June 9 through July 28, every Monday from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mary Magdalene House. The free, eight-week course is designed for individuals living with mental illness and is led by others who have walked the same path.
“It’s taught by people who understand what it's like when even a shower feels out of reach,” McIntire said. “By week two or three, people who weren’t sure they belonged are opening up. It’s powerful.”
NAMI of Reno County also offers educational classes for family members—broadly defined as anyone who loves someone with a mental illness. These sessions help participants learn how to support their loved ones effectively and communicate in ways that de-escalate crises.
“People need to understand that mental illness is not a character flaw—it’s a disease, just like diabetes,” McIntire emphasized. “If someone says, ‘I’m bipolar, so I can’t do that,’ there shouldn’t be any more stigma than if they said, ‘I’m diabetic.’”
In a push to connect the community, NAMI Reno County will host a Mental Health Town Hall on May 29, in partnership with Milestone Clubhouse and Health on Main. The event will feature local leaders and advocates and provide a platform for open discussion, connection, and education.
To reach NAMI of Reno County, residents can leave a message at 620-869-1770. Information about programs and volunteer opportunities is also available through the NAMI Kansas website.
As Miller summed up: “The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out.”